letsbike
Well-Known Member
While recently discussing the updating of the bicycle touring chart shown in the thread "Highest Touring model Seen" with member Jon L, I realized that the Cannondale Touring models in Europe took a slightly different path to extinction than the U.S. models.
In the U.S. following Cannondale's bankruptcy and acquisition by Pegasus Capital Advisors in 2003 the number designated Touring models continued through the year 2007. The T2000 and T800 being the last of a series that had started in 1983 with Cannondale's very first bicycle model, the ST500.
Dorel Industries purchased Cannondale in 2008, and in that year the Touring line was rebadged the Touring 1 & Touring 2. These models would continue until 2010, which was their last year. The 2010 model was actually totally unchanged from the 2009 bike.
Meanwhile in Europe, the Touring line was not offered in 2009 at all, with the exception of a unique model called the Tandem Touring which was never offered in the U.S.
A Touring model was brought back in 2010 with the lengthy name of Tesoro Traveler Classic. It was not a clone of the U.S. offered Touring 1 & 2, but it was very close, and even came equipped with fenders and front and rear racks, something that was missing on the U.S. bikes (with the exception of a rear rack).
That was it for Cannondale's long storied Touring Line. Although Cannondale does offer bicycles aimed at the bike packing scene today, those bicycles don't fill the same niche as a true loaded touring bicycle.
In the U.S. following Cannondale's bankruptcy and acquisition by Pegasus Capital Advisors in 2003 the number designated Touring models continued through the year 2007. The T2000 and T800 being the last of a series that had started in 1983 with Cannondale's very first bicycle model, the ST500.
Dorel Industries purchased Cannondale in 2008, and in that year the Touring line was rebadged the Touring 1 & Touring 2. These models would continue until 2010, which was their last year. The 2010 model was actually totally unchanged from the 2009 bike.
Meanwhile in Europe, the Touring line was not offered in 2009 at all, with the exception of a unique model called the Tandem Touring which was never offered in the U.S.
A Touring model was brought back in 2010 with the lengthy name of Tesoro Traveler Classic. It was not a clone of the U.S. offered Touring 1 & 2, but it was very close, and even came equipped with fenders and front and rear racks, something that was missing on the U.S. bikes (with the exception of a rear rack).
That was it for Cannondale's long storied Touring Line. Although Cannondale does offer bicycles aimed at the bike packing scene today, those bicycles don't fill the same niche as a true loaded touring bicycle.
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